Mold wiper for hot tops



y 1931. w. M. CHARMAN ET AL 07 MOLD WIPER FOR HOT TOPS I Filed Feb. 24. 1930 3 till/1m r1!!! r/lllllIl/Illlllllf/ Patented May 5,, 11931 i warren srare s Parent WALTER Ill/1'. CHARMAN AND HARRY J. DARLINGTON, F YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO; SAID DARLINGTON ASSIGNOR TO SAID GHARMAN MOLD wrrnn non nor rors Application filed February 241-, 1930. Serial No. 430,668.

This invention relates to hot tops, that is removable tops for ingot molds, such tops having the capacity of insulating the upper part of the ingot so as to delay the dissipation of heat, thereby maintaining for a time a mass of molten metal at the top of the ingot which descends to fill the cavities in the center of the ingot produced by the shrinkage of metal as the ingot cools. The present invention relates particularly to a hot top comprising a metal casingwith a non-burning or slow-burn-' ing sheet, lining the inner walls of the hot top,

- and the bottom edge of the casing and extend- 4 ing outwardly to the wall of the mold, and adapted to wipe the same as the hot top is lowered into the mold.

One of the\objects of the invention is the provision of a mold wiper mounted upon the hot top near the bottom thereof and adapted.

to contact the mold wall so as vto prevent hot metal from flowing upwardly into the annular space between the hot top and the mold wall when the hot top is lowered into the mold.

Another object is the provision of means for protecting the lower end of the casing from the hot metal of the ingot, this being eflected preferably by the same sheet material that is employed for the mold wiping function.

A further object is the provision of means for supporting this combination lining and wiping strip upon the casing in such manner that the said means is adapted to fail when the hot top is stripped from the ingot, this strip thus constituting a parting strip between the ingot and the hot top, and being left behind when the hot top is stripped from the ingot.

Other objects and features of novelty will appear as we proceed with the description of those embodiments of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, we have illustrated in the :accompanying drawing, in which v Figure 1 is an elevational view of a substantiallyrectangular hot top embodying the invention. v

"Figs. 2 to 9 inclusive are fragm'ental vertical sectional views showing various modifications of wiper strips in operative relation 0 with the mold wall.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view' of one'section of the wiper strip illustrated in Fig. 8 as applied to use upon a hot top of the general form of Fig. 1.

Fig. '11 is a cross section on the line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a plan'view of a similar wiper strip adapted for use upon a hot top-designed for a fluted circular mold, and

Fig. 13 is a cross section upon the line co 1s13 of Fig. 12.

In Fig. 1 we have illustrated a metal casing composed of two members 10, each of which includes a side and the adjacent corners of the casing. and two members 11 which to are interposed between the members 10 on opposite sides of the casing. The members 10 and 11 are provided along the upper portions of their contacting edges-with flanges or lugs 12 for the reception of bolts 13 or the like, by means of which the members of the casing are fastened securely together. The flanges 12 extend only part waydown the sides of the casing, and hence the lower portion of the casing is left smooth and of regular contour ,in order that it may enter the top of the mold. On opposite sides of the casing we provide trunnions 14 for convenience in hanling.

The interiorconstruction of this form of so the invention is illustrated in Fig. 8. By reference to that figure it will be noted that the casing is provided at its lower edge with an inwardly extending ledge 15. This ledge I extends throughout the inner perimeter of the casing, and supports the upper lining members 16, which are preferably formed of refractory material and so interfitted as to be held in place with or without cement. A. small air space 17 between the casing and the lining may be provided for insulation purposes, if desired. In order to separate the lower surface and the inner edge of the ledge 15'from the molten metal, we provide a lower lining course made up. of blocks 18 which are recessed to receive the ledge 15. The blocks 18 therefore meet the lower edge surfaces of lining members 16. The blocks 18 are" retained upon the casing 11 b some fasteningmea'ns which is adapted to ail when the hot after the lining 16 terial of which the strip 23 is top is stripped from the ingot. "For this purpose we have shown in the present instance a wire 19 passed through holes 20 and 21 in the casing and block 18, bent down along the outer side of the hot top, and the ends twisted together beneath the block 18. Further details of this lower block arr. ngement are disclosed in our copending application Ser. No. 7,326, filed December 30, 1929.

The casing 13, 11 is provided along its outer lower edge with a shallow rabbet 22 of size sufficient to receive a sheet metal wiper strip 23, illustrated in plan and section in Figs. 10 and 11 respectively. This strip is conveniently made in four parts in the case of a rectangular hot top. The outer edge of the strip 23 extends far enough away from the casing of the hot top to engage with the mold wall 24: when the hot top is lowered into the mold, and in order that the greatest advantage may be taken of the flexibility of the strip, it is preferably deflected upwardly, as shown in Figs. 8 and 11. At the point where the wire 19 intersects the strip 23, the latter may be cut away as indicated at 25 in Fig. 10. The wall 2 1 of the mold is ordinarily tapered downwardly so that the inner diameter engaged by the strip 23 varies with the extent that the hot top is lowcred into the mold. For practical reasons it is highly desirable to be able tovary this P The sheet maformed, having flexibility, is able to conform with the mold wall and make a tight joint for all of the height adjustments of the hot top.

In the use of this form of the invention, has been coated with a suitable facing compound in order to effect satisfactory parting, the hot top is caused to enter the mold a predetermined distance, and is then temporarily supported upon the mold in a manner well known in the art. The hot metal is poured through the hot top until it fills the mold and. rises to a predetermined height within the hot' top. In the course of this pouring the metal flows into the narrow space around the hot top below the wiper strip 23, such flow being limited by the strip. This thin annularlip or fin of metal quite quickly congeals or freezes, and then itself acts to assist in stopping further flow. Furthermore, the metal wiper strip, being in contact with the hot top casing and preferably with the mold wall as well, conducts away rapidly heat transmitted toit' from the molten metal, and thus acts to'chill the metal directly adjacent thereto. After the ingot is cooled sufficiently, the operator causes the trunnions 14; to-be grasped by suitable hoisting mechanism and strips the hot top away from the ingot. The blocks 18 tend to cling to the ingot, and this adherence being much stronger than the wires extent within certain limits.

I out of the 19, the latter break and pull out of the holes 20 in the casing, leaving the blocks 18 upon the ingot. Of course it will be understood that the blocks 18 making up the lower course of lining material are intended to be used but once, but inasmuch as these blocks are comparatively small, and inasmuch as the lining members 16 are semi-permanent, the enpense per ingot is low.

In Figs. 12 and 13 we have illustrated a wiper strip 26'of a character similar to that just described, but intended for use upon a round hot top that is employed in connection with a round mold having fluted internal walls. The curved projections 27 of the strip are shaped to conform withand extend into the flutes of the mold. In the case of a hot top of this shape, it is convenient to form the strip 26 in three sections.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the metal casing 28 isprovided with an inner ledge 29 spaced from the bottom of the casing and supporting a lining course 30 of refractory or other suitable material. Below this course we mount, by means of pins 31 which are adapted to fail upon the application of heat from the molten metal, a combined lower lining and wiper strip 32 of sheet material, for example sheet metal. This material has an outturned flange 32' at its uper edge which contacts with the lower edge surface of the lining course 30. When the hot top is stripped from the ingot the strip 32 remains thereupon and of course a new strip must be mounte upon the hot top before it is again used.

In Fig. 3 we have shown a casing 33 having a lower ledge 34 which is curved on its lower and inner sides. Non-burning or extremely slow-burning sheet material 35 extends around the curved surface of the ledge 34 and upwardly along the inner wall ofthe hot top to the upper edge of the latter where it is provided with tabs 36 which may be bent over against the upper edge ofthe hot top to hold this sheet material in place. Sheet metal is the material which we prefer to employ. We may inter ose refractory or other insulating material 3% between the casing 33 and the sheet material 35, although this is not essential in the broader aspects of the invention. When the 'hot top is stripped from the ingot the'entire sheet 35 adheres to the ingot, thelifting force applied to the hot top causing the tabs 36 to be bent upwardly way. In this case the sheet 35 serves as a temporary inner and lower lining member, as well as a wiper strip, and this double function is present in the case of several of the modifications later to be described.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the metal casing 38 has an internal ledge 39 which is protected'by a temporary combined a strip 40, provided linin member and wiper with tabs 41 which are adapted to ,pull out reoeaov 3 or break 01? when the hot top is stripped from the ingot. While, in this construction, it would be in order to employ "refractory upper lining members, similar to those illustrated in Figs. 2 and.3, we prefer to employ a sleeve 42 of metal or other non-burning or slow-burning material, spaced a considerable distance from the casing wall, and to fill the space intervening with loose insulating material 43. When metal is employed for the sleeve 42, it is preferably a hardened casting, and the surface which contacts with the molten steel may be impregnated with chromium or other substance tending to insure a smooth hard surface.

In Fig. 5 the casing 44 is a metal member, to the bottom ofwhich is secured a separable and renewable ledge 45. This ledge may be supported by means of dowel pins 46 that extend through smooth holes in the casing 44 and are threaded into tapped openings in the ledge 45. On this ledge the upper lining 47 may be supported. In order-to form a parting surface, the ledge is coated on its inner and lower sides with a facing compound 48 of suitable character. Then a combined parting strip and wiper strip 4-9 of sheet material is secured to the ledge by means of nails 50 driven through the strip into blocks 51 of wood or the like that are set into spaced sockets formed in the ledge. When the hot top is stripped from the ingot,

the nails 50 pull out of the blocks 51, and the strip 49 is left upon the ingot. Before each casting operation new blocks 51 are fitted into the sockets, a new coating 48 is applied to the ledge, and a new strip 49 is nailed onto the ledge.

In Fig. 6 a casing 52 is employed having a ledge 53 which is provided with a rabbet at its upper inner corner for the reception of a flange or tabs 54 on a combined lining and wiper strip sheet 55. Upper lining members 56 rest upon the ledge '53 and upon the flange 54. The sheet remains with the ingot when the hot top is stripped therefrom, the tabs or flange 54 being broken off in. the process.

I Their connection with the main portion of the sheet 55 may of course be weakened so as to facilitate such breaking, or the separation of the sheet 55 from the hot top may be effected by merely pulling the tabs or flange 54 out of the rabbet in the ledge.

In Fig. 7 the casing 57 has a ledge 58 formed integral therewith, adapted to support the inner lining member 59 of refractory material, this member having a depending portion 60 which covers the inner face of the ledge 58. Plugs or blocks of wood 61 are set into the ledge 58, as in the case of the construction shown in Fig. 5, and to these blocks are secured by nails 62 a lining and mold wiping strip 63, the latter covering not only the ledge 58, but also the lower ends of the lining elements 59. The strip 63 breaksaway from the hot top when it is stripped from the mold in the'samemanner as above described in connection with Fig. 5.

The modification of Fig. 9 comprises a casing 64 with a ledge 65 extending inwardly therefrom at a short distance above the bottom of the casing. This ledge supports the upper lining members 66. Refractory blocks- 67 of irregular shape are secured to the casing 64 by removable pins 68 which are threaded into the casing. A combined lower lining and wiper strip 69, similar to the strip 32 of Fig. 2, is then applied and held in place by tabs 70 which extend between the blocks 66 and 67. These tabs break away or pull out when the hot top is stripped from the mold, and the sheet 69 is left behind.

The forms of the invention illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3 are the same as disclosures in our copending application, Serial No. 329,486, filed December 31, 1928, and as to those forms, as well as to the use of a wiper strip broadly, the present application is a continuation in part of that application.

While in the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawing we have disclosed certain embodiments of the invention more or less in detail, we desire it to be understood that such detail disclosures have been I resorted to primarily for the purpose of fully .protruding outwardly therefrom near the bottom thereof to wipe the mold wall as the hot top is lowered into the mold.

3. In a hot top for ingot molds, a wiper strip mounted on the hot top and protruding outwardly therefrom throughout its perimeter, said strip being adapted to contact withand wipe the mold wall as the hot top is lowered into the mold.

4. In a hot top for ingot molds, a flexible metal strip mounted on the hot top and protruding outwardly therefrom near the bottom thereof to wipe the mold as the hot top is lowered thereinto. I

5. In a hot top for ingot molds, a flexible metal strip mounted on the hot top and protruding outwardly therefrom near the bottom thereof, said strip being deflected upwardly near its outer edge, whereby it is adapted to wipe the mold wall as the hot top is lowered into the mold,

did

ing

material casing thereo top i casin tom t 6. A hot top for ing extend downwardlyinto ing a metallic c flexible material of the casing and side thereof.

7. A hot top extend downwardly i a metallic casing,

extending ove and upwardly alo f, and means for r terial upon the hot adapted to fail when from the ingot.

8. A hot top extend downwardly a metallic casing, flexible material of the casing and up side thereof, said ma wardly beyon to wipe agains s lowered into A hot top for ingot m be supported upon metallic casing, tending over th upwardly along 10. A hot top be supported upon th metallic casing, and a tending ove upwardly lining bei inner wall extending ov upwardly al said means t the mold w r the bottom 0 ong the inner side ng adapted to cont of the mold. 11. In a hot top for-ing extend downwardly into heat resisting sh the hot top ben supporting adapted to from the ingot.

- 12. In a hot top to extend downwardly in ing, heat resisting sh upon the hot top exten neath the casing the inner wall (1 material, sai

andadapte f the mold, an

g the bottom s and means for suppor 1 from said casing, adapted to fail whenthe h from the ingot. 14. In a hot to extend downwardl casing having an for ingot molds adapted the mold, a metal ge near the botcasing support ting sheet mateurf c of thereof, and a flexible wiper strip mounted ting aid on the hot top between the casing and the said an b ing saidlining material, one of said last named ot top is stripped elements having a recess therein for the reaaoaeov (mg the inn r tact wit the inner wall of the mold when the hot top is lowered into the mold, and

for ingot molds adapted to means for supporting said material from nto the mold, comprissaid casing, said means being adapted to fail a heat resisting flexible when the hot top is stripped from the ingot. r the bottom'of, the 15. In a hot top for. ingot molds adapted the inner side to extend downwardly into the mold, a metal aid macasing haying an internal ledge near the botbeing tom thereofi-a lining for the casing supporthot top is stripped ed upon said ledge, and sheet material extending over the inner edge of said ledge and for in ot molds adapted to outwardly along the bottom surface of the he mold, comprisledge and beyond the casing.

and a heat resisting 16. In a hot top for ingot molds adapted to ding over the bottom extend downwardly into the mold, a metal wardly along the inner casing having an internal ledge near the botterial protruding outtom thereof, a lining for the casing supportt w ll of th hot to ed upon said ledge, sheet material extending all when the hot over the inner edge of said ledge and outwardly along the bottom surface of the ledge old adapt d to and beyond the casing a distance suflicient to t, comprising a enable said material to wipe the wall of the a sheet metal lining exmold as the hot top is lowered thereinto, and e bottom ofthe casing and means for supporting said material from the inner side thereof. for ingot molds adapted to when the hot top is stripped from the ingot. e i t, comprising a 17. In a hot top for ingot molds adapted heet metal lining e to extend downwardly into the mold, a metal f the casing and casing having an internal ledge near the botthereof, said tom thereof, a lining for the casing supporta t with th ed upon said ledge, non-burning sheet matesaid casing, said means being adapted to fail rial. extending from the top of the hot top ot molds adapted to downwardly over the inner wall thereof and the mold, a casing, the inner edge of said ledge and outwardly ial mou t d on along the lower surface of said ledge, and ca ing, nd mean 1- means for supporting said material, said d m an b i g means being adapted to fail when the hot top fail when the hot top is stripped i stripp d fr m the ingot.

18. In a hot top for ingot molds adapted to for ingot molds adapted extend downwardly into the mold, a metal to th ld, a casing having an internal ledge near the botmaterial ount d tom thereof, a lining for the casing supportding outwardly beed upon said ledgepand non-burning sheet d to contact with material extending from the top of the hot (1 means f top downwardly over the inner wall thereof supporting said material, said means being and the inner edge of said ledge and outadapted to fail from the ingot.

13. In a hot top to extend downwardly'into having an internal led ereof, a lining for the ed upon said ledge, rial" extending alon said ledge,

materia wardly along t 1e lower surface of said ledge when the hot top is stripped beyond the casing a distance suflicient to enable saidmaterial to wipe the wall of the mold as the hot top is lowered thereinto.

19. In a hot top for ingot molds, a casing, a course of lining material supported from said casing and protecting the lower edge ception of the said wiper strip.

for ingot molds adapted 20. In a hot top adapted'to extend downy into the mold, a metal wardly into an ingot mold, a preformed marnal ledge near the botterial shapedat its outer edge-to conform ot molds adapted to tom thereof, a lining for the casing supportthe mold, comprised upon said .ledge, heat resisting sheet mand a heat resisting terial extending along the bottom surface of er the bottom said led e and outwardly therefrom to conwith the inner wall of the mold, mounted on the hot top to protrude outwardly therefrom,

and adapted to dam the upward flow of metal around the exterior of the hot top.

21. In a hot top for ingot molds, material mou'ntedon the hot top protruding outwardly therefrom near the bottom thereof said material being shaped at its outer edge to conform with the inner surface of the mold Wall, andbeing adapted to chill the molten metal adjacent thereto.

22. In ahot top for ingot molds, a metal casing, heat conducting material in contact with said casing extending outwardly therefrom near the bottom thereof, said material being adapted to span the space between the hot top and the inner wall of the mold and to act as a chill for congealing the molten metal adjacent thereto.

23. In a hot top adapted to extend downwardly into an ingot mold, means for temporarllysupporting the hot top during the pouring of the ingot, and means carried by the hot top above the lower end thereof adapted to assist in the chilling of that portion of the ingot lying between the hot top and the mold Wall.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto afix our signatures.

WALTER M. CHARMAN.

RRY J. DARLINGTON.

CER'JTKIFECATE U 1 CRRECTWM Gin-animal May 5, 1193}, m

Patent No. 1, SM, 207.

GHARR'TAN ET AL.

It is herebymrtified that en'mr appears in me 2151mm numbered patent requiring correction as willows in the drawing, Figure 8, should appear 5 flwvm hefiow instead 01? as shown in the drawing;

etters Patent should he'read with mm correction therein that the smne may conform m and that the said L e in the Patent @flice. Signed and seahad this 8th day mi Septem the record 0f the cm;

her, A. 11). 193i.

M .11 o Acting (lommissim r Patentaa.

(Seal) 

